A month ago, I was sent the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System as a part of the Influenster program to try out. I was asked to put aside all other skin care products and use this acne system for 30 days, both day and night, and then share my results. I have oily, acne prone skin, so I am always on the hunt for that perfect regimen that will help prevent breakouts.

About the Clear Proof Acne System {as told by Mary Kay}

With the Clear Proof® Acne System, you get an effective regimen clinically shown to provide clearer skin in just 7 days.*

The four-product set:

Clears up blemishes without irritation and helps maintain a clear complexion

Unclogs pores, removes excess oil and leaves skin feeling healthier

Fades the look of lingering acne spots

Attacks multiple factors that can contribute to acne breakouts

And includes the:

Clear Proof® Clarifying Cleansing Gel

Clear Proof® Blemish Control Toner

Clear Proof® Acne Treatment Gel

Clear Proof® Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

*Based on a 12-week independent clinical study

The Options Available

You can purchase all of the items that are a part of this four product system separately, you can purchase a travel sized set, or you can purchase the full sized set.

My Experience with the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System

I will say that after using these products {almost} exclusively for 30 days, my skin has been much more behaved. I even made it through “that time” of the month with no more than one itty-bitty pimple. I haven’t gone a month without breaking out in my whole life except when I was pregnant {and I checked, you cannot buy pregnancy hormones to clear up your acne at the drugstore}.

Now, I will share my thoughts on each product individually:

The Clear Proof Clarifying Cleansing Gel

I really enjoyed this cleanser! It was different in formulation than anything I have used in the past. It is a solid clear gel. When I say solid, I mean it comes out of the tube and retains its form.

{the product is not running down my hand in this picture. Even tilting my hand, it would stay in that same shaped glob}

My skin did feel clean after using this cleanser, but it did also feel dry. Not dry in the “ouch, my face is so dry, tight, and squeaky clean” kind of way, but I knew I would not be able to skip the moisturizing step after using this cleanser.

The cleanser has 2% salicylic acid and worked really well with my Olay Cleansing Brush {reviewed here}.

Would I purchase this again? Well, maybe. I have a cleanser that I was using prior to trying out this system that I really liked and that I will probably switch back to. However, if I notice that I am starting to breakout again, or that my face isn’t behaving during the month like it did while I was using this cleanser, I will definitely be going back to it.

You can read the list of ingredients and/or purchase the Clarifying Cleansing Gel on the Mary Kay website here.

The Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner

Above when I noted that I used this system almost exclusively for 30 days, the reason I couldn’t say fully exclusive was because of this toner. I used it for about the first week only and was then forced to stop using it. My face ended up burning and turning bright red with each use. I could feel my skin still burning literally hours after using it. As soon as I stopped using the toner {all other products remained}, those issues stopped immediately. For the remainder of the month, I used my Clinique Clarifying Lotion Toner 4.

As you can probably imagine, then, I would not repurchase this toner as it clearly did not work for me. If you are interested in using this system in its entirety, or just this toner, I would suggest asking your Mary Kay representative for a sample. Every person reacts to products differently, so just because it didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it will not work for you. But, it is always wise to try out a sample before investing in any product!

You can read the list of ingredients and/or purchase the Blemish Control Toner on the Mary Kay website here.

The Clear Proof Acne Treatment Gel

This one product made using this system entirely worth it. Previously I used an acne treatment gel from Clean and Clear and I thought I was happy with that. This acne treatment gel {which is a type of product I personally use every day} contains 5% benzoyl peroxide and I think that is why my skin loves it so much. Not only is it a higher percentage of medication {versus the 2% I am accustomed to}, it is benzoyl peroxide versus salicylic acid. I cannot ever recall using a benzoyl peroxide, so I have to gather that this difference plays a big part in why my skin loves this product so much.

Dear Mary Kay, by sending me your acne system through Influenster, you have gained a lifetime customer for this acne treatment gel. Please do not ever discontinue it!

You can read the list of ingredients and/or purchase the Acne Treatment Gel on the Mary Kay website here.

The Clear Proof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

I have a love-hate relationship with this moisturizer. Like I mentioned above, because of the drying effect of the other products, using a moisturizer is very necessary. Now, to be fair, if you are going to use any brand’s acne-fighting products, more than likely you are going to experience drying of the skin and need to use a moisturizer. I just think I am going to continue my search for the perfect moisturizer, for me, while I continue to fight acne.

Don’t get me wrong, this moisturizer was okay, it was just not my cup o’ tea.

For the things I did like about it: I liked that the moisturizer was oil-free. I also liked that after the moisturizer soaked in, my skin really did feel smooth and soft and supple.

But, because of how runny the formula of the product is, it became a complete mess to use. Every time I opened the cap, product would run out {or had already run out into the cap}.

Also, when you apply the moisturizer it literally feels like you have just rubbed your face with cooking oil. It feels slippery and your face is completely shiny. The first time I used it I thought, “No way am I going to make it a month using this.” However, after it soaks into your skin your face no longer feels slick, it really did leave my skin feeling very nice. The shininess doesn’t really go away, though, so I did not like how my makeup would look {I didn’t feel like I could mattify those oily zones, even with using powder}.

Based on what I can see within the ingredient list, the moisturizer doesn’t have salicylic acid or any other acne fighting medication which is what would make it different {and worth it} to continue using for me. Therefore, I will probably go back to a previous oil-free moisturizer that I had been using.

You can read the list of ingredients and/or purchase the Oil-Free Moisturizer on the Mary Kay website here.

So, as you can see, although I wouldn’t purchase this system in its entirety, I will certainly be looking to continue to use one of the products. However, given that all brands formulate their products to work together, and therefore they may not work as well when mixed with other brands, I may incorporate one or two of the products back into my regimen just to continue to receive the full benefits.

Like I mentioned above, I have gone the entire month without a big breakout, and that says something!

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Have you tried the Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System?

Disclosure: Any products reviewed in this post were purchased by me, with my own resources unless otherwise noted {and yes, I will always make that clear}. All opinions are always my own, are not influenced in any way, and I was not paid to write this post. Affiliate links may appear in this post. If you decide to purchase a product shown, and do so through one of the affiliate links, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
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I agree fully with this review. I also found that the moisturizer is runny and does not do much to protect against the drying effects of the cleanser and toner. I also did like the gel though, and having been using that pretty often, however, I am just going to have to stop using the other three products. I have recieved a dry, scaly rash each time.

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